The mission of the Department of Biology is to provide a nurturing, academic environment where students and faculty can explore and move toward an appropriate mastery of the major conceptual ideas of biology which include: cellular, organismic and population levels of life.

Requirements for the teaching major are available in the Office of Teacher Education.

Courses BIOL

101 GENERAL BIOLOGY - 3 hours
An introduction to the principles of biology for the non-major. Topics may include cell biology, evolution, anatomy and physiology of major organ systems, human biology, heredity and ecology. May not be used for credit in the biology major. C-4NB.

102 HUMAN BIOLOGY – STAGES OF LIFE - 3 hours
An introduction to the basic principles related to human life history, from fertilization through death. These will serve as the vehicle for considering how scientific methodology illuminates issues in both the personal and public arenas. Both personal decisions and public policy issues are impacted by our understanding of underlying biological/scientific principles. Topics such as the mechanisms of fertilization, development, homeostatic system integration, systemic physiology of selected systems (e.g. cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, reproductive) and the continued changes associated with aging will be addressed. May not be used for credit in the biology major. C-4NB.

106 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I - 3 hours
An examination of the nature of science and scientific thinking through an introduction to living organisms and their relationship to the environment. Biostatistics, biodiversity, and ecological processes will be covered. Corequisite: BIOL 106L. Fall. C-4NB.

106L PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I LAB - 1 hour
An examination of the nature of science and scientific thinking through an introduction to living organisms and their relationship to the environment. Biostatistics, biodiversity, and ecological processes will be covered. Corequisite: BIOL 106.

108 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II - 3 hours
Integrating principles of biology, stressing the common responses of life to the problems of existence. Major topics include cellular organization of organisms, genetics, evolution, and organismic processes that maintain life. Examples drawn primarily from vertebrates and vascular plants. The associated laboratory (BIOL 108L) involves animal dissection. Corequisite: BIOL 108L. Spring. C-4NB.

202 FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN ANATOMY - 3 hours
A regional approach to the study of human structure. Emphasis is on the basic structural organization of the human body, underlying anatomical principles, and the anatomical details appropriate for allied health students. Cannot be taken for credit within the biology major. Spring.

204 FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY - 3 hours
An introduction to the basic principles of human physiology. Emphasis is on the basic functional mechanisms operating at the cellular, organ and system levels as well as the integrative control process that regulate each system. Cannot be taken for credit within the major following BIOL 420. Fall. C-4NB.

This course offers an overview and introduction to the evolution, morphology, physiology and identification of birds (Class Aves). Class will include fieldwork.

229 INTRODUCTION TO MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - 3 hours
Introduction to the major classes of biological molecules. Structures and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids will be covered in addition to examples of cell structures, enzymes and metabolic pathways. Corequisite: BIOL 229L. Prerequisites: One year of biology and one year of chemistry. Spring.

234 INTRODUCTION TO HISTOLOGY - 3 hours
For students interested in the cellular components of tissues from vertebrate animals. Emphasis is placed on the appearance of primary tissues and the major organ systems. Tissue microanatomy will be examined stressing function as well as structure. Corequisite: BIOL 234L. Prerequisites: BIOL 106, 106L, 108, 108L.

275 PRACTICUM IN BIOLOGY - 1-4 hours
Observation of and participation in the activities of a professional in biology or an applied field that makes significant use of biological principles. Examples of appropriate mentors include, but are not limited to, genetic counselors, research scientists and industrial scientists. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: Appropriate course work in biology and related fields.

312 MARINE BIOLOGY - 3 hours
The ocean as an environment, a survey of marine communities and adaptive strategies of organisms that live there. Emphasis on the biology, ecology and life histories of marine organisms. Prerequisites: BIOL 106 and 108. Spring, alternate years.

331L INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY LAB - 1 hour
A survey of major invertebrate phyla with dissections. Some outside collections will be made. A detailed laboratory notebook is required. Corequisite: BIOL 331.

332 DNA SCIENCE - 3 hours
A laboratory course that will introduce the student to DNA and how it can be analyzed through restriction digestion, transformation and recombination. Topics will include the isolation of bacterial DNA, the use of restriction nucleases, restriction fragment analysis, recombination of restriction fragments into antibiotic-resistant plasmids and the transfer of antibiotic resistance by transformation. Prerequisite: BIOL 229 and 229L. January.

360 GENETICS - 4 hours
Development of the theory of the gene from Mendel to modern times. Inheritance patterns, chromosomal genetics, and storage and readout of genetic information at the molecular level. Prerequisite: BIOL 229 and 229L. Fall.

364L COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY LAB - 1 hour
Laboratory experience in the dissection and identification of the various vertebrate anatomical systems including the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, digestive, renal, reproductive and nervous systems. Emphasis will be on the cat as a representative mammal with frequent references to other vertebrates and chordates. The laboratory requires animal dissection. Corequisite: BIOL 364. Prerequisites: BIOL 106, 106L, 108, 108L.

365 CELL BIOLOGY - 3 hours
Structural and physiological aspects of the cell; its molecular subcellular and cellular organizations with emphasis on various microscopic and cytological techniques; its function as related to its organization including permeability, metabolism, reproduction, differentiation and certain other specialized functions. Prerequisite: BIOL 229 and 229L. Fall.

375 INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGY - 3-6 hours
Student interns will function as applied professionals in biology or a related field. Internships involve significantly more independence and decision-making responsibility than do practica. May not be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: junior standing or above, appropriate course work in biology and related disciplines.

395 ORIENTATION TO RESEARCH (W) - 1 hour
An introduction to searching and interpreting scientific literature, and to posing and developing research questions in the field of biology. Students develop a viable research proposal under the direction of a faculty mentor. Prerequisites: BIOL 106, 106L, 108, 108L; ENG 111. Spring.

397 DIRECTED BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH - 1 hour
Guided research in biology is carried out under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students will develop research protocols for a student-designed research project. Prerequisite: BIOL 395.

433 INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY - 3 hours
Interactions between man and the vast numbers of potentially pathogenic organisms found in nature will be studied. Emphasis is given to the nature of virulence factors and the occurrence of drug resistance in microorganisms and the natural immune systems of the human. Corequisite: BIOL 433L. Prerequisite: BIOL 313, 313L. Spring.

433L INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY LAB - 1 hour
An introduction to serological reactions and the isolation and identification of bacteria, fungi, and protozoan and helminthic parasites. Corequisite: BIOL 433.

440 APPLICATIONS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (W) - 3 hours
An in-depth examination of current biotechnology applications and an introduction to some of ramifications of biotechnological developments. Prerequisite: BIOL 332.

475 SENIOR INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGY - 3 hours
Student interns work in a professional environment as a part of their Senior Comprehensive Evaluation. Students design the internship with the help of a faculty member from the Biology Department and a person who serves as the student’s mentor during the internship Only students with senior standing will be permitted to enroll and senior internships may not be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: BIOL 395.

494 SENIOR RESEARCH I - 1 hour
Research hypothesis and methods development under the direction of a faculty mentor. Prerequisite: BIOL 395, 397.

496 SENIOR RESEARCH II - 1 hour
Preparation and presentation of senior research in biology under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students are required to prepare and present the results of their senior research in both written and oral formats. Prerequisite: BIOL 494.

380 or 480 SPECIAL PROBLEMS - 1-4 hours
A student who has demonstrated ability to work independently may propose a course and pursue it with a qualified and willing professor. The department chair and the vice president and dean for academic affairs also must approve. A set of guidelines is available at the Office of the Registrar.

385 or 485 SEMINAR - 1-4 hours
An in-depth consideration of a significant scholarly problem or issue. Students pursue a supervised, independent inquiry on an aspect of the topic and exchange results through reports and discussions.